Thru 3: Olsen in trouble

After last night’s game, Nationals manager Manny Acta said he had no reason to think either of his Saturday starters, Scott Olsen and Daniel Cabrera, wouldn’t be able to go at least six innings.

Well, if Olsen gets that far, it’ll take him about 120 pitches.

SEE RELATED:

He’s thrown 65 pitches through three innings, giving up a pair of homers to Raul Ibanez, as the Phillies lead 5-1 after three.

It’s about the worst start the Nationals could have envisioned for Olsen, who has struggled most of the year, save for his one win in Philadelphia. His velocity still hasn’t jumped out of the high 80s, and he’s only gotten one ground ball out through the first three innings. Against a team like the Phillies, that’s a dangerous way to live.

It’ll be interesting to see how long Acta leaves him in the game, with a bullpen that’s nearly shot after last night’s 12-inning loss and facing another game tonight.